So you could say that the Journal Communications
properties—all of them to be owned by Scripps and possibly feeling pressure to
perform to impress their new masters—prefer a Walker victory on Nov. 4.

After all, if Walker wins and continues
playing coy about his political future, the Journal Sentinel will still be
relevant as the flagship source for all news involving Walker.

But if Walker loses, well, who’s going to
care about him? There is absolutely zero interest in Scott Walker, private
citizen.

So consider that as we head into what
could be a very tight election on Nov. 4. Notice how the Journal Sentinel fuels
the Walker campaign.

The latest piece of evidence is no doubt Jason Stein, Bill Glauber and Dan
Bice’s completely crap stories about Mary Burke allegedly being fired from her
family’s own company. They’re so embarrassing I’m not even going to link to
them.

First of all, the tip came from Wisconsin
Reporter, the pro-Walker “watchdog” something or another that is funded by the Bradley
Foundation, headed by Walker’s campaign chair, Michael Grebe.

Secondly, Wisconsin Reporter isn’t
reliable, nor are its sources on this smear. If Bice is getting his tips from
Wisconsin Reporter, then he needs to rethink his whole career.

Next, a disgruntled ex-employee is never a
reliable source. Nor is a source who is a Republican Party official who ran as
a fake Democrat in the recalls.

Lastly, the allegation cannot be proven.
It occurred more than 20 years ago. All you have is a he said-Trek said story
that everyone will talk about but can’t be proven. Typical race-to-the-bottom click-bait.

It’s sad—no, tragic—that the Journal
Sentinel’s news coverage is taking this low road going into such an important
election. Instead of shining a light on vital issues facing Wisconsin, the
Journal Sentinel is fanning the flames of a right-wing smear. This sort of
smear, so close to an election, never would have been touched in the past. This
certainly isn’t Pulitzer Prize-winning journalism. It’s beneath them, frankly,
but maybe they're all worried about keeping their jobs as the new owners clean house.

Enough about that smear.

Independent journalist Dominique
Paul Noth has provided very helpful critiques of the Journal Sentinel’s
coverage of the Marquette Law School poll, held up by the JS as the gold
standard in polling. Wonder why? Again, think of the tight links between the
JS, Marquette and conservative foundations and businesses in town. Once again,
you’ll find folks who have a vested interest in seeing Walker get re-elected by
demoralizing Democrats. Read Dom’s blog for more insights.

And if Burke manages to pull out a win on
Tuesday, who will be the first one crying about voter fraud? Walker or the
Journal Sentinel?

UPDATE: The Journal Sentinel's editorial calling horseshit on the story barely mentions its participation in the smear. Not good enough. Not even close.

Comments (4)

"Next, a disgruntled ex-employee is never a reliab...

"Next, a disgruntled ex-employee is never a reliable source"Nor is a company that is telling a different version about the departure of an employee than the employee herself was saying...Trek statement, "In 1993 Mary decided that it was time for her to make a change and she left Trek. "Mary Burke's statement, "We reorganized and eliminated the position that I had, and I left that organization in charge of two other people who reported directly to the U.S"I see, a re-organization that made one position into two positions, neither of which Mary filled.http://www.newstalk1130.com...

John832more than 3 years ago

First, Mary Burke said she was simply burned out a...

First, Mary Burke said she was simply burned out and left Trek. Now she claims her own family downsized her. Ask any detective, when a person is not truthful their story changes over time to fit the changing evidence.

John Voltavinskimore than 3 years ago

The allegation cannot be proven you say. Perhaps s...

The allegation cannot be proven you say. Perhaps so. Then again, Mary Burke's claims can't be proven either. But now Burke is saying that she was reorganized out of a job. That simply doesn't happen to business rock stars, especially when daddy owns the company. So it seems Burke has been less than honest with us. Not getting my vote.

Anonymousmore than 3 years ago

"a disgruntled ex-employee is never a reliable sou...

"a disgruntled ex-employee is never a reliable source" ... unless they're dishing dirt on a Republican, in which case, they are a whistle-blower.

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